City welcome back 'Polly'

6 March 2014

Bradford City Football Club welcomed a legend back to the Coral Windows Stadium this Tuesday (4 March 2014) afternoon when eighty-four year old Lawrence Whelan "Polly" Ward returned to Valley Parade to view his old stomping ground.

Lawrence Whelan "Polly" Ward (pictured) was born Ovenden, West Yorkshire on the fifteenth June 1929, the five foot three inch centre forward had unsuccessful trials with Bradford Park Avenue, Leeds United, Hull City and Halifax Town before being signed by Bradford City manager David Steele.

Ward made his City debut on Christmas Day 1948 against Oldham Athletic, he went on to spend six seasons at Valley Parade scoring a total of 37 league goals, 5 FA Cup goals in 156 games.

He moved to King's Lynn in August 1954, but returned to Bradford the following year to sign for City's rivals Bradford Park Avenue. In four season's at Park Avenue he scored 31 goals in 104 appearances, Lawrence then returned to non-league football in August 1959 with Nelson Football Club where he finished his career.